Non metalic salt chlorinator for spa or swimming pool

ABSTRACT

An Electrolytic cell to produce Electrolysis with the use of graphite, a non metallic electrolysis element in the cell, into water passing through the cell without the use of metallic electrolysis elements. Water passing through the cell is thereby affected by the electrolysis with the use of non metal components in contact with the water to generate the electrolytic reaction. The cell being oriented with the inlets and outlets in a downward direction so that if the water remains in the cell, gaseous vapor produced by the electrolysis will eventually fill the cell cavity and stop electrolysis thereby limiting the accumulation of excess amounts of hydrogen gas from the electrolysis in the cell.

Views; The drawings views are as follows:

FIG-1 is the front view of the cell housing.

FIG-2 is the end view cross section showing the internal components andcell core.

FIG-3 is an over head end view showing the non wired end of the cell.

FIG-4 is the core assembly that fits into the cell housing on FIG-1.

The unit herein described is sized for but not limited to a portable spaas an offline salt chlorination unit. It will have the dimensions andmaterials described below,

1. The non metallic electrolysis element (FIG. 4) will consist of fourrods (FIG. 4)—11 with a diameter of ⅜″ and length of 6″ consisting ofgraphite.

2. The elements will be ultra fine extruded graphite rods for thisapplication but may also include extruded graphite plates and/or rods inunits adapted for swimming pools or other bodies of water.

3. The rods ends will be inserted into a 2″ diameter, flat, circular, ¼″thick plate (FIG. 4)-10 of poly plastic. The plate is then drilled withfour holes so that the ends protrude ⅜″ through the plate where theywill be secured with adhesive. The holes will be spaced evenly on thedisk (FIG. 2)—11 so that the holes would form a square pattern. Asmaller hole will be drilled between each rod (FIG. 2)—12 and in thecenter of the disk (FIG. 2)—13 to allow water to flow past the rods.There will be a plate located at each end of the rods (FIG. 4)—10 tosecurely hold them parallel to each other. The plate assembly will thenbe rotated one end opposite the other until there is a 45 degree twistin the element from one end to the other. This twisted arrangement ofthe rods allows water to more thoroughly to contact the elements whilepassing through the cell.

4. The rods will be drilled on one end (FIG. 4)—14 to allow vinyl coatedelectric wires to be inserted into the ends of the rods. Then awaterproof heat resistant adhesive designed for graphite will be appliedto seal the wires into the rods.

5. The completed core assembly of the rods with the wires attached (FIG.4) is then inserted into an 8″ length of clear 2″ diameter (FIG. 1)—3poly pipe. This allows for visual inspection of the cell duringoperation. Once inserted the discs will be in contact with the circularwalls of the cylinder (FIG. 2)—10 where they can be secured withadhesive effectively holding the cell core from moving. The plates atthe ends of the rod assembly (FIG. 4)—10 will force the gas vapors outof the chamber when the liquid is forced to travel through the holes inthe plates as vapor is far less dense than liquid.

6. The cylinder of clear poly pipe is then capped by two poly caps (FIG.1)—2 & 4 with threads on the end closet the wiring (FIG. 1)—4 so it canbe opened for inspection or cleaning. The end caps will be drilled andtapped for one water exit hole on the end (FIG. 3)—2 away from thewires. This hole will oriented at the lower part of the cap end and willprovide the outflow of liquid and any vapor through a ⅜″ threaded holewith a threaded hose barb (FIG. 3)—1 designed to fit vinyl hose. Thethreaded barb is utilized herein to facilitate easy replacement asnecessary.

7. The end with the wiring (FIG. 1)—4 will have two holes drilled intothe end of the cap, one drilled and tapped for a ⅜″ threaded hole with athreaded hose barb fitting (FIG. 1)—7 inserted for vinyl hose. This willallow for fluid entry and the other hole to allow for a wire fitting(FIG. 1)—6 where the wire will pass out through the end cap.

8. The cell will be energized in this case by a power supply (FIG. 1)—8providing 12 to 24 volts DC current to energize the elements. Thiscurrent may be polarity reversed at intervals as this has been known toassist in keeping the elements dean.

9. The cell unit will have a separate (FIG. 1)—8 power supply unit. Thispower supply will be energized by the spa control pack using the ozonegenerator plug. This can also utilize a splitter so that an existingozone unit can still remain operational.

10. The power supply (FIG. 1)—8 will provide DC power derived from 110vAC connection at the ozone plug of the existing power pack of the spa.The power supply will rely on the spa safety features and G.F.C.I.inherent in the spa electric circuit to condition and provide the poweronly when the circulation pump is moving water through the cell unit

11. The cell unit will be mounted on top of the spa pack with the powerpack mounted where convenient The cell will have vinyl tubing thatconnects the cell inlet (FIG. 1)—7 to the pump and the outlet (FIG. 1)—1to the return plumbing with the cell being at the highest point in theloop. It is a known law of physics that vapor trapped in a high point ofan object will push liquid down and out. In this case with the requiredmounting position of the cell, this provides additional protection forthe cell as it will fill with vapor from electrolysis if it operateswithout flow. This vapor will eventually shut down the cell when thereis no fluid contacting the elements.

12. The cell design may also include an additional probe (FIG. 1)—5 todetect electric current, as this has been shown to be an effective meansof protection for the cell to facilitate shut down in case of vaporentrapment in the cell.

1. Non metallic electrolysis cell for the production of electrolysis inwater passing through the cell comprised of anodes and cathodesconsisting of graphite, these being in a cell cavity where water flowingthrough the cell can come in contact with the anodes and cathodessimultaneously thereby producing the electrolytic reaction in the waterwithout the use of metallic components in contact with the water as itpasses through the cell.
 2. The cell of claim 1 wherein water is forcedinto contact with the non metallic graphite elements by means ofrestrictive holes at the ends of the disks of the core assembly thatsecure the graphite anodes and cathodes, these restrictive holes causingless dense air to forced from the cell as the more dense water movesmore slowly through the restrictive holes.